Shifting traveler trends reveal how consumers are planning to travel this year. Report

 

 

Hands up who’s ready for holidays.

Despite the fact that many countries around the world are still grappling with high infection rates of COVID-19, many travelers are feeling optimistic that they will be able to vacation abroad this year, says Tripadvisor’s new survey. The report reveals increased intent in international travel and dining behaviors, based on first party search data and global consumer survey analysis.

Tripadvisor’s report, which analyzed first party search data as well as traveler sentiment across six major markets (the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Italy, Japan and Singapore), identified consumers’ increasing confidence that they will travel abroad in 2021, particularly in the second half of the year. In fact, globally, the majority of hotel clicks on Tripadvisor are already shifting to international destinations for May 2021 trips onwards (as opposed to domestic destinations, which dominated 2020).

From more sustainable outlooks and slow travel, to private spaces and exclusive hire, personalised experiences, carefully curated itineraries, enhanced wellness offerings, and an increased desire for once-in-a-lifetime trips, Small Luxury Hotels of the World community of hoteliers is feeling optimistic about the year ahead. Read their trends in the luxury travel sector.

How consumers are planning to travel in 2021 and what impact the ongoing pandemic has had on their trip planning habits? These are the five trends identified in “The Year of the Travel Rebound: 5 Traveler Trends to Watch Out for in 2021” report.

Travelers are planning to travel abroad in the second half of the year, but won’t wait to make plans. Five Travel Trends of 2021.

1. Travelers are planning to travel abroad in the second half of the year, but won’t wait to make plans

Nearly half (47%) of travelers surveyed globally say they are planning to travel internationally in 2021, including 45% of U.S. travelers.
One in ten (11%) global respondents have already booked an international trip for 2021, including 14% of respondents in the U.S.
The most eager to venture abroad are German and UK travelers – in the first week of January, 85% of hotel clickers on Tripadvisor in either country were planning international breaks for later this y

2. Vaccinations will be a game-changer for traveler confidence

The widespread roll-out of vaccines won’t just impact travelers’ confidence to travel, it will have a major influence on where leisure travelers are prepared to go too. Globally, more than three quarters (77%) of travelers surveyed say they will be more likely to travel internationally if they receive the vaccine, rising to 86% for travel domestically. In the U.S., those numbers change to 69% and 80% respectively.
More than a quarter (26%) of respondents globally say that they would only travel to destinations that required visitors to be vaccinated before travel, with Australian (32%) and U.S. (30%) travelers the most likely to expect destinations to adopt this safety measure.

3. Domestic vacations remain high on travelers’ wish list for 2021

While international tourism looks to be getting a boost this year following a shutdown for much of 2020, domestic travel isn’t necessarily going to take a back seat in 2021. In the first week of January, nearly 70% of hotel clickers on Tripadvisor were booking future domestic trips, while further out, May through August are still proving the most popular months for domestic vacations.
Globally, three quarters (74%) of travelers surveyed plan to take at least one overnight domestic leisure trip in 2021 — and an enthusiastic 80% in the U.S. In the U.S, just over a third of respondents (34%) are planning at least three domestic trips this year, compared to 31% of Australians surveyed and 24% of British travelers.

4. The joy of vacation planning will be stronger than ever as travelers spend more time researching 2021 trips

With travel plans dashed in early 2020, many people have been dreaming about their next big vacation for more than ten months, so it’s no surprise that travelers are extra conscious of getting it just right.
Three quarters (74%) of travelers surveyed globally say they will spend more time choosing a destination this year, including 65% of travelers in the U.S. 64% of travelers in the U.S. will spend more time reading reviews, 63% will spend more time selecting their accommodation, and 70% will spend more time finding things to do.

5. Consumers can’t wait to dine out again, but their taste for takeout will still endure

As in-person dining was restricted in many countries throughout 2020, the success of takeout and delivery services soared, as consumers sought to satisfy their appetite. But encouragingly for the hospitality industry, in-person dining’s rebound in 2021 doesn’t mean a decline in takeout and delivery demand.

Read more about luxury travel trends after the coronavirus pandemic.